February 26th Update - Important!

Hi everyone, sorry it has been a bit quiet here, but I have been busy finding out ways to save money. I also have been trying to promote this as well. I had some really great feedback about this campaign especially since I am asking for more than I originally fundraised.

So I cam up with hopefully a solution to this, any funds that I don't need after all my expenses (whether or not at goal) will go directly back to the Ottawa Food bank.

So if it only costs me $2500 and I raised over that, then the extra will go to the food bank. So they benefit as well.

So far I have a few leads on cheap accommodation, travel and flights. So this is excellent. If anyone has ideas for sponsors please sens me a message

So when I have a change I will update my main page to reflect that change.

~Erin

February 16th Update

Wow, it is hard to believe we have already done 2 weeks! We are almost at a quarter of the goal. It has been wonderful to see such support.

I was approached by Fundrazr to do an interview for a future blog post. I am excited about that, hopefully it will help the campaign get more reach to more donors on this site. I will let you know when that is live.

Made some progress for flights - my friend Sue suggested a couple of ways to find cheaper flights as she goes to visit family often in England. YAY!

I am still waiting for sound bites to finish my video. :P I am slow but I have been working on my Reddit gifts Medieval Secret Santa gift. I finished it yesterday, so now I need to frame it and send it to New Zealand!

As always, please share this campaign to get the word out.

Thank you already for all the support!

~Erin

February 10th Update

Well with the start of our second week of campaigning we have reached 21%! How awesome is that!

I am currently looking into flights, it is possible I will need to fly into Paris and take the train to London, might be quite a bit cheaper.

If anyone knows a travel agency that would be willing to donate a flight, that would be excellent. I would be able to put up their logo and contact information on my blog.

Please share these post on your Facebook or twitter pages, the more people see it, the more likely donations will come it.

I appreciate all the donations so far, thank you! And a thanks to Jane Allen for offering her home. :) Hopefully we can coordinate.

~E

PS. Happy Valentine's week! XOXOXO

February 5th Update

WOW Everyone! I can't believe we cracked $1,000 yesterday! With all the donations this campaign has moved to the first page of the Arts & Creative section, and yesterday I was on page 2 of the Trending section, but this morning we are on page 6. Boo! So lets see if we can get back on the 2nd page (or even the first). Please consider sharing this campaign on your social network pages. :)

We have had some great movement on this fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who has contributed or shared it. The more people can hear about it the better!I want to send a special thank you to David Gotlieb (aka Dafydd ap Alan) for his amazing offer for our Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) friends! He is offering up one of his leather rapier sheaths as a fundraising prize! Attached is a picture of the rapier sheath for Baroness Keresteken Janzdochtere on the occasion of her elevation to the order of the Pelican. If you are interested in one (and they are amazing!) read up on his blog for more information:

Leather Goods for the Discerning Kraken

As some readers may know, Lady Emelote participated in a CBC fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank last year and as part of the program was granted her food wish of cooking at Hampton Court in the Tudor Kitchen.

Leather Goods for the Discerning Kraken - Win a custom rapier sheath - Fundraiser for a research trip for Lady Emelote

Elevation Rapier Sheath by David Gotlieb

I am in the works to put together a few fundraising ideas and events. If you have some ideas, please let me know.

I am not sure if people are aware, but if you are not comfortable in donating online, I will take them in person as well. I will even put it up here and it will show in the total. As you can see by my donation from Santa (thanks Mom and Dad!).

Please spread the word.

~Erin/Emelote

February 4th Update

Well last night was really beautiful, with the temperature changing, I had the opportunity to do some snowshoeing (and Spa) in Chelsea, QC. The full moon was out and the park quiet. While I was enjoying the weather, you guys have been busy sending in donations! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?! I would get a notification on my phone.

Local Québec cider before snowshoeing

A snack from the restaurant at Le Nordique Spa

I am so excited and humbled at my friends, family and strangers who are donating to my cause. I am so excited about this project and hope that I can fundraise enough to maybe even bring my husband. :) Please pass this information along to others who may be interested in helping me out.

Thank you everyone! :)

~E

It has begun!

I have received my first donation. YAY! *applauds* I am so excited that this has started. I hope that I can get some traction and sharing happening. I am waiting to hear back from CBC as to when they will talk about this fundraiser. :) It is very exciting.

I posted on the campaign site that I have selected my weekend to go. (Still need to let Chris know, lol) but I want to head there for the first weekend of August. It will be the best time, I will be able to watch the demo they have and hopefully participate in the experimental part as well.

There is still lots of logistics that need to happen, and I want to clarify what exactly I will be able to do at HCP, but it takes time.

On another note, I have been very lucky to be corresponding back in forth with Tudor Tailor guru Jane about some items we talked about at the workshop in Chicago. When I have more information, I will let you know. Maybe I can try and meet up with them at their shop when I am in the UK. Sigh...it would be wonderful!

Just a quick update, I am hoping to have a video up by the weekend to help promote the fundraiser. 

Thank you everyone!

~Erin

The Reason I am Here!

FINDING FUNDS TO FULFILL MY FEAST FOOD FANTASY

I raised $3310 for the Ottawa Food Bank in 12 days! In return, I’ve been invited to fulfill my dream of cooking at England’s historic Hampton Court Palace this summer. Please help me raise the money I need to get there.

Read below about how I met CBC Radio’s Food Fantasy Challenge, and the fundraising I did for the Ottawa Food Bank. It’s a great cause, but my new challenge is raising the money needed to accept the palace’s special invitation.

I will need a budget of $5000 to travel to Hampton Court. This will cover the economy flight and train tickets from London to Hampton Court, and basic accommodation/food.

In my current situation I could not possibly afford this dream trip on my own. It will be necessary to raise all the funds I need to travel to Hampton Court.

Help me make my fantasy a reality. Please make a contribution—any amount, no matter how small, is welcome and deeply appreciated. Each donation brings me closer to my goal.

I will give good karma back into the universe in return for this unique experience. (that is what this blog is for!)

I believe it’s important to give back. To show my gratitude for your support I will:

• Write to this blog about my journey that contributors can follow and stay in the loop
• Share my favourite recipes and pictures of my trip online for all
• Teach a class in my community (and beyond perhaps!) about the experience and what I learned, possibly with a hands on cooking demonstration
• Apply what I have learned at Hampton Court Palace by cooking a Tudor feast for my community sometime in the year following my travel
• Encourage my community and my contributors to continue their support of the Ottawa Food Bank (see link the button on the right side) and the many people who rely on their generosity. I will do this by promoting the Food Bank on my blog, at my classes and at my feast

Please help me make my dream come true! 

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